Aroundtown Magazine January/February 2024 edition

FAMILY
In the Community
As we welcome in another
year, here are some ways you
can make a difference in your
community for 2024.
Barnsley Scout
group fundraising
for new home
Could you help The 16th
Barnsley (Royston) scout group
fund a permanent place to call
home?
“
I really like going to
Squirrels and Beavers
because it’s fun. I get to
try new things like
building a den in the
park, doing crazy science
experiments like making
slime and learning
about robots.
”
48 aroundtownmagazine.co.uk
The group has seen a massive boost to its
membership over the last couple of years which
means they’ve outgrown their current ‘on loan’
home.
For the last ten years, they’ve held their weekly
meetings at Royston’s Salvation Army Hall. But
with an expanding group of 75 Squirrels, Beavers,
Cubs and Scouts, they’re quickly reaching
capacity of the space.
Having their own permanent home means they
could accommodate more children and make a
difference to even more young lives, like Isaac
who has recently move from the Squirrel Drey into
the Beaver Colony.
“I really like going to Squirrels and Beavers
because it’s fun. I get to try new things like
building a den in the park, doing crazy science
experiments like making slime and learning about
robots. Red Squirrel, Badger and Pink Beaver
help me when I feel nervous or worried. We need
a bigger building so that more children can come
and play and we can do even more things,”
Isaac says.
The 16th Barnsley (Royston) group is run by
volunteers who all give their own time willingly.
They’re an inclusive group and all children are
welcome irrespective of their needs, abilities and
circumstances.
Many young people go on to become young
leaders and assistant leaders supporting the
younger children in the group and giving them
leadership skills for the future.
With an ambitious target of more than
£250,000, parents and carers will be holding
various fundraising events such as bake sales,
supermarket collections, race nights, and a
sponsored skydive amongst other ideas.
Donations and contributions are also being
sought from local businesses and it’s hoped
the fantastic community of Royston and its
surrounding areas will support the group.
As we went to print, their fundraising total
stood at just shy of £7,000. But with such a huge
target, fundraising champion and mum of two
young group members, Nichola Hawden, tells us
the group needs more help.
“In the short time my children have attended
Squirrels, Beavers and Cubs, they have both
grown so much in so many ways. Scouting really
has changed their lives for the better and that’s
why I’m so pleased to give something back and
support the group in getting the new home they
deserve.
“Not only that, we hope to open the facility for
use by the wider community of Royston as well
so it would be fantastic if the local community
could get behind us.”
You can find out more about the 16th
Barnsley (Royston) Scout Group on their
social media channels
www.facebook.com/roystonscouts
and you can donate directly to their
fundraising appeal at
www.justgiving.com/campaign
/16throystonscouts